Chapter 14

[Name: ________.

Species: X_{¥=!;✓©}€{_(";$

Fighting Power: Wizard Apprentice (State of the Contractor +1).

Skills: Shapeshifting, Basic Shadow Manipulation, Shadow Hunting, Mimicry, Multi-Element Resistance (except Holy and Fire), Fear Manipulation, Immortality.

Description: This creature was once an ordinary Xemorph but was blessed by a ray of Yog Sothoth's thought, evolving into '-$+#-$_+$($;$'. Having transcended into a different species, it has gained wisdom far beyond ordinary creatures. Although forever loyal to its master, its new nature makes it more cruel and bloodthirsty. ]

"..." There was a long silence after Cain compared his own meager status to his summon's lavish one.

Looking at his new 'son', Cain didn't know what to do. Taking a deep breath while massaging his forehead, he said, "Well, let's give you a new name. How about... Zyrk? Yeah, Zyrk."

After Cain's naming, the status also updated with the name 'Zyrk.'

"Z..Zyr-Zyrk," Zyrk repeated his name in a broken tone.

"System, why is Zyrk's fighting power not subdivided into levels of wizard apprenticeship?" Cain asked his query after naming Zyrk.

[ BECAUSE FOR SOME HIGH LEVEL CREATURES THE FIGHTING POWER IS NOT DIVIDED INTO SMALLER LEVEL AS THEY ARE ALMOST INVINCIBLE IN THEIR OWN LEVEL.]

"So you mean Zyrk can defeat almost anyone below an official wizard?" Cain clarified.

[ TECHNICALLY YES BUT NOT IN CASE OF TOO MANY OPPONENTS]

"Ohhh..." Cain's mouth twitched as he thought about Zyrk's formidable fighting power combined with his skills. Jealousy crept over him as he read the descriptions of Zyrk's abilities.

[ SHAPESHIFTING: ABILITY TO CHANGE HIS FORM INTO ANY LIVING OR NON-LIVING THING.]

[ BASIC SHADOW MANIPULATION: CAN MANIPULATE SHADOWS AT A BASIC LEVEL. PROFICIENCY INCREASES DIRECTLY PROPORTIONAL TO STRENGTH.]

[ SHADOW HUNTING: AFTER MARKING SOMEONE, THE MARKED PERSON CAN BE LOCATED THE MOMENT HE IS WITHIN RANGE 1 KM. THE DISTANCE INCREASES WITH STRENGTH.]

[ MIMICRY: DUE TO ITS OWN EVIL NATURE, IT USES MIMICRY TO DECEIVE AND PLAY WITH THE PREY WHILE HUNTING IT.]

[ FEAR MANIPULATION: WITH ANY CONTACT LIKE VOICE, SIGHT, AND HEARING, THIS SKILL CAN INDUCE ENOUGH FEAR INTO THE TARGET ACCORDING TO THE USER'S WISH. (DOESN'T WORK ON OPPONENTS MORE POWERFUL THAN THE USER)]

[ IMMORTALITY: IT IS IMMORTAL AND UNKILLABLE UNTIL ITS CONTRACTEE IS KILLED FIRST.]

Looking at these skills, especially 'Immortality,' Cain knew that Zyrk's fatal weakness was he himself.

"Tch," feeling the weight of this vulnerability was normal for him since he started his wizarding journey, but he knew this would not be the status quo for long.

Seeing the obedient Zyrk, who was about twice his size, Cain asked, "Well, can you change yourself into something inconspicuous?"

Nodding his head, Zyrk transformed into a raven.

"Well, a raven seems suitable for a Ravenclaw," commented Cain.

"Don't turn into other forms until I tell you, okay? Otherwise, if some wizard is interested in you, then I will not be able to save you or myself," Cain warned.

'Understood, father,' came a voice inside Cain's head.

"Don't call me fath..., wait, you can communicate using thoughts?" asked Cain in bewilderment.

"Umm, let me try," saying this, he attempted to send some thoughts to Zyrk.

'Can you hear me?'

'Yes, father.'

'Wow, amazing. And don't call me father; instead, use Young Master or Boss.'

'Okay, father.'

"Ugh, never mind," said Cain with a little annoyance after seeing the silly look on Zyrk's bird face.

Looking at the time, it was already time to sleep, as tomorrow was a lecture regarding the basics of magical knowledge. Cain didn't want to miss his first lecture and it being free, so he lay down on the bed and closed his eyes.

After some time, Cain was already in deep sleep.

Looking at Cain sleeping, Zyrk tilted his head and flew towards Cain's side, melding into his shadow.

*******************************

As Cain slept, somewhere in a luxurious restaurant in the Black Market area, a party was being held.

The host, with a feminine face, addressed the group of wizard apprentices and soon-to-be wizard apprentices, announcing loudly, "Everyone, give a loud round of applause for our new members!"

With his announcement, a large amount of cheers and applause echoed inside the hall.

While others enjoyed the party, the feminine-looking man approached a boy with a salesman-like smile on his face. Yes, it was Ebel.

"Well, Ebel, how many of the new apprentices were convinced to join our welfare club?"

Wearing the same smile, Ebel replied, "Senior Brother Damian, among the newly admitted 300, I spoke to about 60-70 of them, and most of them decided to join, while others said they would think about it."

"But I think most of them will come to us tomorrow. According to me, nobody should refuse to join our welfare club," added Ebel.

"Well, thank you for your hard work, Ebel," said Damian to Ebel.

"You should now enjoy the party and introduce yourself to other members of the club."

"Yes, Senior Brother," said Ebel, and he went away.

But what he didn't know was that the moment his face turned away from Damian, the smile on Damian's feminine face melted away, leaving behind only a joking and haughty look.

"Hmph, if I had no use for you all, why would I waste my time on these fools who are not even first-rank apprentices? Its really easy to manipulate the minds of such immature fools who have not set foot in the real world."

But thinking about his long-term goal, he regained the polite smile on his face as if it had never changed.

With the sound of music, the party continued till late at night.

**********************************

The next morning, Cain woke up early and got ready. As he was about to go to the cafeteria, he felt like he forgot something.

'Um, what am I forgetting... Ah, where is Zyrk?' Looking around in a hurry, he found no sign of Zyrk.

Just as he was about to check elsewhere, the sound of a raven's cawing caught his attention. Looking at the source, he saw a dark raven emerging from his shadow and landing on his shoulder.

"Hah, I thought you were kidnapped, but then again, who would be so free to kidnap a raven?"

Not understanding his father's words, Zyrk simply tilted his head.

"Ah, forget it."

Checking the time, Cain realized the lecture would start in about two hours, so with Zyrk on his shoulder, he headed towards the cafeteria. A few glances focused on his shoulder, but they disappeared soon, as it was not uncommon for others to have pets as companions.